The End of an Era for Taiwanese League of Legends
In the 2019 World Championship, the LMS had their final game, though it held little significance. Damwon Gaming had already secured their spot in the knockout round and defeating ahq Esports Club only ensured they avoided a tiebreaker. Similarly, J Team, another LMS team, played their final meaningful game earlier in the tournament against FunPlus Phoenix, where they were eliminated from the competition.
The Legacy of the Taipei Assassins
I first started watching professional League of Legends during the Season Two World Championship. As a Taiwanese-American, I was excited to see a Taiwanese team compete. Despite being considered underdogs, the Taipei Assassins made it to the finals and defeated a Korean squad. This victory brought hope and unity to Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Struggles on the International Stage
Following their win, the Taipei Assassins disbanded, and Taiwanese teams faced little competition in their domestic league. This lack of competition resulted in poor performances on the international stage in subsequent World Championships. However, the creation of the LMS in 2015 allowed Taiwanese teams to face stronger opponents domestically and improve their gameplay through stronger scrim partners.
J Team’s Last Chance
J Team, previously known as the Taipei Assassins, became the last hope for Taiwanese League of Legends. They performed well in the 2019 World Championship, finishing the first half of the round robin tied for first place in their group. However, they narrowly missed out on advancing to the knockout stage.
The end of the LMS not only signifies the loss of an underperforming region but also erases almost a decade’s worth of history. Taiwanese teams, starting with the Taipei Assassins, have shown that miracles can happen. Rebuilding the once-dominant LMS will require more than just a miracle.
LMS, Taiwanese League of Legends, Taipei Assassins, World Championship, J Team, underdogs, competition, international stage, underperforming region.